Frankenstein Annotated Bibliography Essay

989 Words2 Pages

Annotated Bibliography

Pretext (prebibliography): In my research paper I am going to explore the roots of the creation of evil.

Source 1:
Theodore Ziolkowski, Science, Frankenstein, and Myth,
Sewanee Review, 89:1 (Winter 1981), 34-56
This article studies themes, widely represented in the postwar German drama, such as pursue for scientific discovery without any attention focused on the potential outcome, the balance between the discovery of natures’ secrets and ethics, threat of the misusing of scientific achievements. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is considered as a perfect analogue to the above mentioned dramas and their main themes. The article reveals Mary Shelly’s understandings that scientific creation is progressive in its nature. …show more content…

It has been turned into something destructive by society. Behind the ugly appearance of Frankenstein’s creature a vast capacity and potential is hidden. Though ugly, he is awesomely strong. He can cross distance at superhuman speed. His intellectual abilities are great – without any help and within a couple of months he learns to speak. He even studies literature. This is a creature made to be an angel but turned into a devil because of human society. The article shows that the main reason for the above mentioned transformation is Victor Frankenstein – the young scientist obsessed by the idea to dig into nature’s secrets, without paying attention to the possible consequences. Victor Frankenstein can’t overcome his disgust so he refuses to take any responsibility for any newly “born” creature and shows no love or understanding towards the lonely creation. The article provides us with Mary’s Shelly remarkable understanding that the quest for deep knowledge can result in a discovery with an extraordinary …show more content…

In both novels the act of creation and the following rejection by the creator are some of the main reasons evil to be “born”. Victor Frankenstein is considered as a version of God however he is a flawed creator. His irresponsibility and rejection towards his creature are the first reasons the creation to become wicked. According to the article the subtitle of Mary Shelly’s novel (The Modern Prometheus) reveals another cause of an evil creation. The Greek mythology Prometheus is the humankind creator, but not only this. He takes care of the people. He commits a “crime” in order to protect them. Prometheus means “forethought”. However the Modern Prometheus, Victor Frankenstein pursues the act of creation with no thought about outcome and social implication of the creation. The article reveals that Frankenstein’s creature is innocent and morally neutral by his nature. Human society and prejudices are the things that turn the creature into a Monster. The Monster’s self-education in the De Lacey family is considered on purpose. Here the Monster becomes familiar with human follies. The people of the De Lacey family are those who reject him. The act of being excluded from the basic unit of social society is considered as the Monster’s turning point into evil. Mary Shelly’s piece of work is unique because it represents evil as a part of

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